Golf-swing corrector



Jan, 3, 192s. 1,655,092

H. K. B. DAVIS GOLF SWING CORRECTOR Filed April 3o, 1927 2 sheets-sheet 1 me/nto@ Jan.L 3, 1928. 1,655,092

. H. K. B. DAvls GOLF SWING CORRECTOR Filed April 30, 11927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Imm um Patented J an. 3, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY KIRK BROWN DAVIS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF 0NE-HALF TO HUGO J. WALTER, 0F BRADFORD, PENNSYLVANIA.

GOLF-SVING COR-RECTOR.

Application filed April 30, 19.27. Serial `No. 187,969.

This invention relates to devicesy for golf instruction and has particular relation to devices for holding the arms in proper relation whereby the players swing will be corrected.

I have found that in the instruction in the playing of golf, that the beginner' is prone to vary the distance between his elbows during the swing. I have'also found that if this distance between the elbows can be kept constant or nearly constant, the beginner can make better progress with his `frame. It is a primary object of this invention to provide a device'which will form a connection between the lower portions of the upper armsor elbows which will hold'the elbows in their proper' relation throughoutthe swing, thereby keeping the whole club extended and preventing the pulling of the. club inwardly toward the body.

Since there are some players who in parts of their strokes tend to permit their elbows to move apart and others who in parts of their strokes tend to move their elbows too close together and since some players have the two faults, it is necessary to provide against either one or both of these faults depending upon the characteristics of the individual player.

nn important object of my invention is the provision of means for connecting the upper arms of a golf player together in such a way that relative movement of the arms is prevented in at least one direction.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a golf swing corrector having a means for connection to. cach of the arms of the player and al flexible connection therebetween.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of a golf swing corrector having'means for a connection to each of the players arms and a detachable con` neclion therebetween.

Another and still further object of my invention is the provision of a golf swing corrector having means for a connection to each of the players arms and a flexible connection. therebetween, means being provided so that the arm connection maybe temporarily disconnected from each other to permit freedom of the arms as during strokes.

Other and further objects of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the complete specification and claims.

Referring to the drawings wherein I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention,

Fig. l is a perspective view showing a preerred embodiment of my improved swing corrector for golf players.

Fig.` 2 isa fragmental sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view indicating the manner in which` the invention, as illustrated in Figs. l and 2, is used on the arms of a golf player.

Fig. a is a cross sectional view on the line 4-a of Fig. G, showingA the parts of the connection between the arm portions, in attached relation.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional View on the line 5*'5 of Fig. ll.

Fig. t5 is a cross sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. et but showing the parts of the connection in detached relation.

Figs. and 8 are front and plan views of another modification.

Like figures are used to designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of the drawings.

The device consists broadly in a means for holding' the arms in a predetermined spaced relation while still maintaining the flexibility of the arms when making the swing and also permitting of the pivoting of the arms on their' axes.

The particular' design of the golf swing corrector will be determined largely by the faults which are oesired corrected. It is believed that the following description will make clear the features necessary to be present in the corrector to correct the various faults, as to the holding of the arms of the yarious individual players.

In the embodiment shown in. Figs. l, 2 and 2l, I provide two bands or loops lO and ll, the band lO being non-adjustable and the band ll being adjustable. These bands or loops l0 and ll may be made of an i suitable flexible material such as leather, webbing, or elastic webbing. The material which I prefer and which I have illustrated is elastic webbing.

The loop l0, as illustrated, is a continuous loop and is provided with a hook member l2 which can be placed at any point on the lll) loop.r A slide 13 in a 'form of a continuous band is provided having an opening therein suflieientonly to receive the two parts of the loop as shown in Fig. 1. The opening in the slide 13 is of suihcient size so that, While the two parts of the webbing loop may pass therethrough, this movement et the web loop through the slide is not a free movement. The result of the relative size ot the opening in the slide 13 of the two parts of the loop 10 is such that when the loop 10 is placed upon the arm, as shown in F ig. 3, the slide will remain in any position in which it is placed until forcibly removed to another position.

The loop' 11 is provided with a slide 14; which is similar in construction to the slide 13 and is for a similar' purpose as the slide 13. A loop 15 which is complementary to the hook member 12 is provided. rIhe hook member 12 and its complementary member 15 serve to secure the two loops l() and 12 in a fixed relation to each other and make it possible for the player to disconnect his arms from each other while still permitting them to be connected again when it is found to be desirable. This is particularly desirable between strokes.

In order vto regulate one or both of the loops 10 and 11, any suitable lengthening device is provided. In the embodiment Y herein shown Y(see particularly Fig. 2) one part-ot the loop 11 is secured to a buckle member 16 as shown by passing a portion aroundv the rear portion 17 of the buckle 16. The other part ot the loop 11 passes through the openings of the buckle 16 and its end is held in place by a keeper 18 as shown in i Fig. 2. It will thus be seen that the device,

lll

as a-whole, isv adjustable by means oit' a buckle provided on the loop 11.

i lIn Fig. 3 I have illustrated one oi the loops as 10 on the right arm of. a player and the other loop 11 as secured to the lett arm oi the player. In the drawing the player is shown holding the grip ot a golf club 19 in his hands. The method of attachment ot the device is as follows:-

With thev slide 13 moved out to the hook member 12, it will be seen that an opening in the'loop 10 is provided large enough to admit the arm. vrIhe hook member 12 is placed at a position opposite to the left arm and in a line between the centers ot the two arms. This loop is placed a few inches above the elbow in such a way that it will, when connected to the other loop 11, hold the right arm in its proper relative position. Y In adjusting the other loop 11', the slide Y 1st is moved toward the member 15 and the arm inserted in the opening in the loop. The loop 11 is placed on the left arm in a posi- -tion correspondingv to the position or the loop 10 of the right arm.

The slides 13 and 14 are now moved so that the openings in the respective loops will be made smaller and of a size to permit the web of the loop to tit snugly around the arm without discomfort when the hook 12 and its complementary member 15 are connected. Iii it is found after this adjustment that the elbows are too close together when held so that the webbing between the slides 13 and 1&1- is t-aut, the loop 11 is adjusted by means of the buckle 16. It it is found that the arms are too .tar aoart after theslides 13 and lll are adjusted, the opening for the arm in the loop 11 is made smaller by taking up the loop by means ot' the 4buckle 15. l/Vhen the right adjustment is secured, the end o1 theloopfll is inserted in 'the keeper 13 in l"1 ig. and the adjustment is complete.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. et, 5 and 6, I have'shown a swing corrector which will, when in position, correct the swing in such a. way that the arms at the elbow cannot be brought any'closer together than is permitted by a predetermined setting.

An arm-contact member is provided at one endet the device and an arm-contacting member 111 is provided at the opposite end. These arm-contacting members 110 and 111 are of a shape to tit the curvature ot the arm and each is provided with a detachable iiezrible member for encircling that portion of the arm netheid in position by the contacting members 110 and 111.V rIhese arm encircling portions are made adjustable by buckies 112 which vare similar, in construction, to kthe buckles 16 already ueseribed. The arm encirclingport-ion comprises fleXible members 113 and 114 having at their outer ends loop members 115, one

of the members 113, 114 beingattached to the rear portion o'ii'the buckle as at 116 and the other member passing through the buckle the arm engaging portions 110 and 111, these are designated 110?, 110", and 111, 111b respectively. By means the flexible arm encircling devices 113, 1,1-1 vand the adjustment provided 'for by the buckles Ylltthe device may be made to suit the arms of the particular player using the same. Attention is here called to the fact that it V'desired to teach the player to hold the arms in a. certain relation without having them forcibly held by theV flexible arm encircling members 113 and 114, these arm encircling:members may be removed entirely. In use, in this way, the player would necessarily hold the arms against the arm contacting members v110 and 111; otherwise the devicel would fall to the ground.

The material for the arm encircling members 113 and 114 may be of any suitable material such as leat-her, webbing, elastic webbing or a type of fiat expansible spring device which may have an appearance s1m1- lar to elastic webbing.

In order to limit the movements of the arms toward each other and away from each other when the arm encircling members 113 and 114 'are used, I provide a connecting means between the arm cont-acting members 110 and 111. This connecting means, in the embodiment shown, is of a tubular construe` tion, has provision for adjustment of the arm contacting members 110 and 111 and also has a disconnecting means for relieving the arms from the definite relative position as during the time between strokes. The connecting means above referred to comprises atwo section tubular member, each tubular section being connected to an arm contacting member 110 and 111. There is also an adjust-ment feature between one of the tubular members and one of the arm contacting members.

As shown, the arm contacting member 110 is provided with a cylindrical ythreaded shank 11S. operation and co-action with the interiorly threaded tubular member 119. A wing screw is provided at 120 and extends through the'wall of the tubular member 119 for engagement or non-engagement with the threaded shank 118.

By releasing the wing screw and turning the arm engaging member 11() with relation to the tubular member 119, it is obvious that a longitudinal adjustment would take place. Secured to the arm engaging member 111 as an integral part therewith is a shank 121 which is suitably secured in a tubular member 122 as by threaded engagement, as shown. In the opposite end of the tubular member 122 I have provided a connecting means to connect the tubes 119 and 122 to gether. This connecting means includes a tubular member 123 which is sweated or otherwise suitably secured in the end of the tubular member 122 and is of a suitable size to pass freely into the end of the tubular member 119 opposite to the end occupied by the shank 118. This tubular member 123 is of such a size that it can be freely pushed into the tube 119, yet will be a snug'it when in place.

In order to hold the parts 123 and 119 in their relative positions I have provided a securing means. Two openings in the tubular member 123 are provided for projections 12st and 125 which are attached to the resilient member 126. The resilient member 125 is attached to the interior of the tubular member 123 by means of the rivets 127. An opening close to the projection 125 is provided in the tubular member 119 at 128. Another opening in the tubular member 119 This threaded shank has co-k cai'ries a catch releasing member 129. The opening 12S and the catch releasing member 129 occupy the same relative positions in the tubular member 119 as the positions occupied by the projections 125 and 124. A guideway 13() is provided in the tubular member 123 and co-acts with a screw 131 projecting through the wall and into the interior of the tubulai member 119. Adjacent the edge of the tubular member 119 is a ramp-slot 132 which occupies a position corresponding to the project-ion 125.

Holding the catch releasing member 129 in its inoperative position is a spring membei' 132 which spring member is secured to the outside surface of the tubular member 119.

In use, the arm encircling members 113 and 11st are adjusted to the size of t-he arms of the particular player who is using the swing corrector. In making the adjust ments by'means of the buckle 116, it is most convenient to have the two portions of the device connected together. In order to bringv about the connection, the tubular member 123 is inserted in the tubular member 119 in such a way that the screw 131 ei'igages in the guide-way 130. As the two parts are forced together, the projection 125 rides up upon the inclined ramp-slot 132. This movement is continued until the projection 125 drops into the opening 128. At this point the faces of the ends of the tubes 119 and 122 will be together and the whole device will be ready for use. After making the adjustments of the arm encircling members 113 and 111; if it is found that the connecti on between the arm engaging members 110 and 111 is too long, then it is only necessary to unsnap the loop 115 from the hook 110u and after loosening the wing screw 120 the arm engaging member 110 may be turned to shorten the distance between the arm contacting members 110 and 111. Vhen a proper adjustment is made, the wing screw 120 is tightened and the device is ready for use.

IVhen it is decided to releasethe arms without changing the adjustment of the arm engaging members 110 and 111, it is only necessary to press upon the resilient member 132. This will cause the catch releasing member 129 to engage the projection 124, thus raising the projection 125 from its position in the opening 128. A slight pressure by the arms may now push the two tubular members apart to relieve the arms from their stroke positions.

An inspection of the device will make clear that the resilient member 132 may be pressed to operate the catch releasing member 129 by simply pressing the same against the body of the player. In order to bring this about, it must be placed in a position when the device is applied to the arms of the player, so that it will be next to the body.

In Figs. andS have shown a simplified term wherein the connecting member 210 is ot one piece and is provided With pads 2li and 212 at each end. In order to hold the arms against the pads 211 and 212, is arranged an adjustable arm encircling member. comprising the tivo elements 213 and :214. The members 213 and 2M are similar to the members 118 and'lfil and are held in place by buckles 215, the men'iber- 213 beingr connected to the rears of the buckles 216, the members 21st passing through the buckles and being held in place by the keepers 21T `ln order to connect; and disconnect', the device lirom the arms, l have provided on the connecting member 210, snaps 21S which coactn'ith complementary buttons 2l?) lo fated Y on theendsot the portions ot the arm encircling members.

inspection ol the drawing, in view or the above description, Will malte it per 5tly clear that all necessary freedom of the arms of the player is permitted while at the same time the, elbows are held in the proper desired relation.

My invention ren'ioifes some ot the troubles encountered by beginners and also some older players. By its continued use, the player becomes accustomed to holding the arms in the proper relation.

I have described my invention as a goil' swing corrector. It will be understood,hon'- ever, that it may be used l'or any game Where a stick, bat or club is held in the hands and is swung by the movement ot the arms: Where such swing is desired to be carried out with the arms. held in a certain relation to each other. Y

ill-luie l. have detail, embodiments ot my invention, l vdesire have it iin-gierstoodthat the showing is illustrative and that modifications and changes may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention and Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what l claim iszy l. A golf instruction device comprising a holding means for each arm and means tor passin=f in liront o'land tree ot, the body for connecting the two holding means to limit their relative movement in one direction. i f

2. 'A golf instruction device comprisingl a holding means for each arm and means -tor passing in trent of, and tree oli, the body for connecting the two holding means to limit their relative movement in one direction, said connecting means comprising` complementary members separable frein each other.

A golf instruction device comprisinga holding means for each arm and means for shown and described, in

passing in front oli, `and :tree of, the body for connecting the two holding means to limit their relative movement in one direction, said connecting means comprising separable complementary members.

4i. A gellI instruction device comprising a holding means Ytor each arm and means for passing in front of, and tree of', .the body connecting the holding means together to limit vthe movement ot' onev arm from the other. f

5. A gell' instruction device comprising a holding` means for each arm and means for passing in l'ront ot, and tree or", the body connecting the holding means together to limit the-movement .ot one arm trom the other7 said connecting means comprising complementar"y members separable from each other. Y

o. A gell instruction device comprising a holding means tor each arm andmeans for passing in ront-ol`, and lreev of, the body onneering theholding means together to limit the movementof one arm trom the other, said connecting means comprising a flexible portion. i

i'. A golf instruction device comprising a holding' means for each armi-and vmeans connecting the holding means for ypassing in trent of, and 'free of, the body together to limit the movement of one arm from the othergsaid connectingT means comprising a flexible elastic portion.

S. A golf instruction devicecomprising a holding means t'or each arm and means connecting the holding means together to limit the movement of one arm from the other, said connecting means comprising a tleiiible elastic portion and separable complementary members. f

9. A golt instruction device comprising a holding means ytor each arm and means tor passing in trent et, and tree ot, the body connectingV the holding means togetner to limit the movement et' one arm from the other, said connecting means comprising a flexible element. Y

lO. A golt' instruction device comprising av holding` means .tor each arm and means for passing in front et, and tree et, the body connecting the holdingvineans together to limit the movement or one arm from the other, said holding meanseach comprising arm encircling means. Y

ll. A golt instruction device comprising a holding means or each arm and means for passing in trent et, and free of, the body connecting the holding means together to limit the movement of one arm Yfrom the other, the .holding means each comprising flexible arm encircling means,

l2. A golf instruction device comprising a holding means lor each arm and means tor passing in front of, and free of, the body connecting the holding means together to limit the movement of one arm from the other, the holding means each comprising adjustable arm encircling means.

13. A golf instruction device comprising a holding means for each arm and means tor passing in front of, and tree ot, the body connecting the holding means together to limit the movement ot' one arm from the other, the holding means each con'iprising elastic arm encircling means.

141. A golf instruction device comprising va holding means for each arm and means for passing in front of, and free of, the body connecting` the holding means together to limit the movement of one arm from the other, the holding means each comprising adjustable elastic arm encircling means.

15. A golf instruction device comprising a tlexible arm encircling holding means for each arm and means connecting the holdingl means together, the portion ot' the connecting means adjacent each arm lenig continuous with the adjacent holding means and separable complementary members for disconnecting` or connecting the holding means for the arms.

16. A golf instruction device comprising a. flexible arm encircling holding' means tor cach arm and means connecting the holding` means together, the portion of the connecting means adjacent each arm being in a double part and continuous and integral with the adjacent holding means anda hook and loop connection between the 'two double parts.

1T. A golf instruction device comprising a iexible arm encircling holding means for each arm and means connecting the holding means together, the portion or the connecting' means adjacent each arm being in a double part and continuous and integral with the adjacent holding means and a hook and loop connection between the two double parts, one of the holding means having a length adjusting device to vary the length ot the holding means and its integral portion of the connecting means.

18. A goltl instruction device comprising a flexible arm encircling holding means for each arm and means connecting the holding means together, the portion ot' the connecting means adjacent each arm being in a double part and continuous and integral with the adjacent holding means and a hook and loop connection between the two double parts and a slide on the double part at each end ot the connecting means to vary the size ot the holding means to cause the same to litsnugly around the arms when the slides are moved away from each other.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atlix my signature.

HENRY KIRK BROIVN DAVIS. 

